Air conditioning acts like doodoo

[Av00va]

I've had my 2021 Civic Ex for 2k miles now. I noticed the A/C seemed a tad underpowered, but then I'd turn the temp down to 64 and it got comfortable. I think the fan and A/C spins down on the highway as part of the eco algorithm maybe? Yesterday was the first 93 F degree day. On the highway, the fans spun all the way down and me and a friend were sweating until we were able to stop and fuel up. The fan remained rather low even with manual settings cranked to Lo and fan stuck on HI with Eco mode off. It was almost as if the fan speed was permanently on low. It was also like the fan actuator assembly did some goofy stuff making it seem as if the fan was running but no air was cranking out. I am tuned on Pherable, and am wondering if A/C gets canbus info from the ECU which is fed into the A/C economy algorithm? Its a long shot, but am curious. The next day we drove the car and no issues happened, but the ambient temp was also in the 70s. The car has no warranty...what should I do? Any tips are appreciated. I doubt the dealer will acknowledge the issue. I'm wondering if I can get the system evacuated and refilled given the issues with that year.

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[calonzo]

If the fan is not blowing on high when you set it to High, I don't think the dealer can dismiss it that nothing is wrong.

 

[Av00va]

Yes, but I can't easily reproduce it. It's almost as if it's a terrible Eco setting that you can't turn off that comes and goes

 

[Shankmeyster]

Wait, are you using ECO mode or are you saying it acts like ECO mode? You might want to have the dealer check and see if it is fully charged as there has been a complaint about them not fully filling from the factory since day one of the 10th gens. If it's not fully charged it will make the compressor fail quickly.

 

[SDAlexander8]

How does a 2021 not have a factory warranty?

 

[Av00va]

How does a 2021 not have a factory warranty?

It had a bumper cover replaced and hood, but the damage to the car shouldn't involve the a/c

 

[SDAlexander8]

It had a bumper cover replaced and hood, but the damage to the car shouldn't involve the a/c

If it was involved in a front end collision it could absolutely have damaged the AC condenser. How many miles are on this car?

If the A/C condenser is indeed leaking due to the part being defective, then it is covered for 10 years, regardless of b2b/powertrain warranty status. You would have to pay for the diagnostic up front however.

 

[bbeem]

https://honda.oemdtc.com/1701/warranty-extension-2016-2021-honda-civic-a-c-condenser

 

[JohnnyL]

I've had my 2021 Civic Ex for 2k miles now. I noticed the A/C seemed a tad underpowered, but then I'd turn the temp down to 64 and it got comfortable. I think the fan and A/C spins down on the highway as part of the eco algorithm maybe? Yesterday was the first 93 F degree day. On the highway, the fans spun all the way down and me and a friend were sweating until we were able to stop and fuel up. The fan remained rather low even with manual settings cranked to Lo and fan stuck on HI with Eco mode off. It was almost as if the fan speed was permanently on low. It was also like the fan actuator assembly did some goofy stuff making it seem as if the fan was running but no air was cranking out. I am tuned on Pherable, and am wondering if A/C gets canbus info from the ECU which is fed into the A/C economy algorithm? Its a long shot, but am curious. The next day we drove the car and no issues happened, but the ambient temp was also in the 70s. The car has no warranty...what should I do? Any tips are appreciated. I doubt the dealer will acknowledge the issue. I'm wondering if I can get the system evacuated and refilled given the issues with that year.

The compressor will cycle on and off if the car is econo mode. If you turn econo mode off the compressor will stay on. Also, you can press the climate button then the AC button on and the compressor will stay on. Keep in mind any car with a black interior takes a long time to cool down if it's sitting out in the sun. It takes a long time to cool down the parts when they are 150 degrees all the way to the core. Keeping the compressor on is going to effect your mpg about 3-4 mpg also.

 

[Av00va]

The compressor will cycle on and off if the car is econo mode. If you turn econo mode off the compressor will stay on. Also, you can press the climate button then the AC button on and the compressor will stay on. Keep in mind any car with a black interior takes a long time to cool down if it's sitting out in the sun. It takes a long time to cool down the parts when they are 150 degrees all the way to the core. Keeping the compressor on is going to effect your mpg about 3-4 mpg also.

Thanks, I tried all of these things. It was weird, almost as if the max fan suddenly became the lowest fan. No idea. I can see if the a/c is leaking but I'd imagine it wouldn't blow as cold as it does. The fan having a mind of its own is really the worry

 

[shoegazer]

I can't tell if it's already been covered. But make sure you're not in automatic mode. I believe the fan speed will be variable when that mode is chosen.

 

[Av00va]

I can't tell if it's already been covered. But make sure you're not in automatic mode. I believe the fan speed will be variable when that mode is chosen.

It was in auto, then we turn Eco mode off. Then we switched to manual and set the temp to "Lo" and fan to the highest setting with A/C "on". We fooled with recirc/fresh and the different air settings. We couldn't figure out why the damn thing acted like the first 3 settings were all off, and the highest setting was basically a very low setting. The A/C was cool but as my friend put it it was almost as if the fan wasn't Even on, and the air was passively circulating. Freaking weird man. We fueled up and it got better, but for some reason I still get the impression the A/C cuts out from time to time. Maybe it's leaking.

 

[Av00va]

And by cut out I mean it blows slightly warmer and/or the fan cuts the speed in half (which is a big deal on 90+ degree days)

 

[JohnnyL]

Sounds like its in ecno mode

 

[shoegazer]

And by cut out I mean it blows slightly warmer and/or the fan cuts the speed in half (which is a big deal on 90+ degree days)

Hmm... that's a mystery. But, in my experience, the fan speed is tied to the selector; regardless of the selected mode... *except* when in 'auto' mode.

It seems like there's an AC diagnostic test mode with our cars. Maybe that would yield a clue. But, given that it seems to be a salvage title; anything goes.

You may have already answered; but does the fan behave the same way when you run the heat? You could take e peek at the fan/cabin filter in the glovebox and rule out anything obvious.

Lastly... the infotainment (in some trims) has the HVAC controls integrated into it. Some folks have successfully swapped controls from other trim levels. I'm wondering if whoever repaired the car made some changes. Some trims have auto mode, split zones, and other features that aren't present in others.

Good luck.

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